The Muslim League and the Advocacy of Partition

The Muslim League was founded in 1906 with the aim of protecting the political rights and interests of Indian Muslims. However, it was not until later that the League began advocating for the partition of India and the creation of a separate Muslim state.

Lahore Resolution of 1940

The Lahore Resolution of 1940 marked a significant turning point in the League's political agenda. At the annual session of the League held in Lahore, a resolution was passed demanding the creation of a separate Muslim state in the northwestern and eastern regions of India. The resolution was supported by Muslim leaders such as Muhammad Ali Jinnah and was seen as a major step towards the eventual partition of India.

Opposition to Civil Disobedience Movement

The League's support for the partition of India was further strengthened during the civil disobedience movement of the 1930s. The League opposed the movement, which was led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, on the grounds that it would lead to Hindu domination and the marginalization of Muslim interests.

Khilafat Movement

While the Khilafat movement of 1919-1924 was not directly related to the League's advocacy of partition, it did contribute to a growing sense of Muslim nationalism and identity. The movement was aimed at restoring the Ottoman caliphate, which had been abolished by the Turkish government after World War I. The League supported the movement and saw it as an opportunity to further Muslim interests in India.

Conclusion

In summary, the Muslim League's advocacy of partition did not begin at its birth in 1906 but rather evolved over time. The Lahore Resolution of 1940 marked a key moment in the League's political agenda, but its opposition to the civil disobedience movement of the 1930s and support for the Khilafat movement of 1919-1924 also contributed to the eventual partition of India.